GRENADIAN CULTURE AND PRODUCTS TO TAKE CENTRE STAGE AT WORLD EXPO

By Michael Bascombe

In Shanghai

SHANGHAI, China, July 17, 2010 - The history, culture and trade and investment opportunities of Grenada will be on showcase here when the Caribbean Community Day takes centre stage at the EXPO 2010 Shanghai on Saturday.

Prime Minister Tillman Thomas, accompanied by his wife, is leading a 17-member delegation which also includes a cultural group to the World Expo at this port city.

Prime Minister Thomas will join President Bharrat Jagdeo of Guyana, President of the Commonwealth of Dominica, Nicholas Liverpool and other Heads of Delegations from CARICOM at a flag-raising ceremony.

The Grenada delegation also includes Junior Culture Minister Senator Arley Gill, Ambassador Marcelle Gairy and Councillor Richard Nixon.

The cultural group is captained by Edson “Ajamu” Mitchell, managed by Adrian Mark of the Ministry of Culture and also includes Inspector Brian Hurst of the Royal Grenada Police Force Band and Nigel DeGale of TUMDA. A team of national dancers, singers and performers completed a rehearsal early Saturday morning the flag-raising ceremony on Saturday and two cultural performances on Sunday.

An assortment of Grenadian products including arts and crafts will also be on display in the Grenadian booth where thousands of visitors are expected to view over the next few days.

“Visitors can expect to learn the history and culture of Grenada as well as our main manufacturing and exporting products,” said Senator Gill.

“There will also be the opportunity for them (visitors) to sample many of our local products which will be on display,” he said.

The national performers spent most of Friday evening and early Saturday morning rehearsing with lead vocalist “Ajamu”. They will have one performance on Saturday and two shows on Sunday.

A wide array of local products has been assembled at the Grenada booth. They include products from Clarke’s Court, Westerhall Estate, Michelle’s Confectionery, Glenelg Natural Spring Water, Belzeb Aromatherapy Products, Noelville, De La Grenade Industries, Rainbow Products Ltd, Island Pride Products, Thompson’s Aloe Wines, Barguna Enterprises Ltd, Amba Kaila Spices, and Nero’s Natural Herbal Seasoning.

Among the artists’ works on display are Susan and Asher Mains, Gilbert Nero, Oliver Benoit and Tricia Bethel, who is a Grenadian student studying in Beijing.

Some of the students studying in China are assisting the Grenada delegation which is being coordinated by the Embassy of Grenada in Beijing.

Videos:

Senator Arley Gill http://vimeo.com/13401920

Preparations: http://vimeo.com/13402270

Rehearsal: http://vimeo.com/13401477